Employers frequently skim over your resume and create opinions about you as a potential employee. When switching careers, it’s crucial that your resume summary conveys your suitability for the position you want. You can keep the recruiter interested by learning how to style and compose a resume summary for a new career.
In this post, we define a resume summary, go over how to write one for a job move, and offer advice and five samples to help you build your own.
What is a resume summary?
A resume summary is a succinct paragraph that outlines your qualifications for the position you’re looking for. A resume usually just has two to three words and is located at the top of your resume, just below your contact details. It gives the recruiting manager a glimpse of your qualifications, which may catch their eye.
It could be advantageous to highlight your transferrable skills in your resume summary if you wish to move into a new industry. This can demonstrate to potential employers that you can fit in and contribute well to the team. Additionally, you might use your prior professional expertise to set yourself apart from other applicants.
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How to write a resume summary for a career change
Follow these steps to write a resume summary when switching careers:
1. Study the job description
Consult the job description first to learn more about the hiring manager’s preferences. When writing your resume summary, look for areas where your professional experience and the employer’s needs for the position overlap. Look at the lists of qualities a strong applicant should possess and decide which ones most accurately describe you. For instance, if the organization values independence and dependability in an employee, you can emphasize these qualities in your summary. Think about the best way to explain to the recruiter why you are a good fit for the role.
2. Highlight relevant credentials
Highlight qualifications that are relevant to the position you’re applying for in your summary. Write a brief summary of your professional background, education, and skills that most closely match the requirements listed in the job description. Draw attention to your transferable skills, or knowledge that has a wide range of applications. You can explain how the skills you’ve developed over the course of your career are pertinent to the position you want. Despite the fact that you might be new to your business, you can still show that you have what it takes to be a successful employee. Here are a few example of transferable abilities:
- Communication
- Computer literate
- Consumer assistance
- leadership,
- emotional intelligence,
- time management
3. Discuss your aspirations
Discuss your goals for the future with the employer after that. In your resume summary, you can consider expressing your enthusiasm for the role. When you’re looking for work in a new field, the hiring manager can discover that you’re ready to pick up new talents.
You might also demonstrate that you’ve thought about how you can help the business. For instance, if you’re applying for a managerial post, you might say that you want to take the department on its next profitable endeavor. Show that you are aware of the prerequisites for the position and that your persistence and transferable skill set can make up for a lack of work experience.
4. Mention the employer and job
In your resume summary, it’s frequently beneficial to add the name of the business and the position. This demonstrates to the recruiter that you’ve tailored your resume to the particular company. Additionally, it can suggest that the rest of your resume is likewise pertinent, which might nudge readers to pay closer attention to the portions that follow.
You can also use phrases like “entry-level,” “mid-level,” or “senior” to indicate the status of the job title. Remember to modify the specifics of your summary to match the job description if you’re applying for many roles in the same sector.
5. Proofread for errors
Check any errors after drafting the paragraph by proofreading it. It can be beneficial to make sure you have proper spelling and grammar because your resume summary may serve as a reflection of your writing abilities. For instance, you can double-check the spelling of the firm name and the position title against the job description. To evaluate the flow of your vocabulary, try reading the words aloud. You can also request that a friend or member of your family read your statement and provide comments on how effectively you promoted yourself.
How to write a career change resume
It’s crucial to modify the rest of your resume when looking for a job in a new industry to emphasize your transferable talents. You could use the methods listed below to create the rest of your resume:
1. Choose the right format
You might be able to use a variety of resume templates depending on the industry to best showcase your qualifications. For instance, if you’re looking for work in graphic design at a creative agency, you may make your CV more eye-catching by using color and imagery on purpose. Another resume format that may be helpful when changing careers is the combination resume, which combines functional and chronological formats to highlight abilities and relevant experience.
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2. Add accurate contact information
Make sure your contact information is accurate by checking it twice. This enables recruiting managers to get in touch with you, learn more about your experience, and set up an interview. Think about including details like:
- Full name
- Phone number
- City and state
- Email address
- Link to a website or portfolio
If you have little professional experience in the industry, including a portfolio may assist you show that you have what it takes to thrive there. A portfolio of samples might be helpful, for instance, if you’re switching from a career in education to one in copywriting.
3. Discuss your work history
Look for opportunities to emphasize pertinent skills and responsibilities while explaining your responsibilities at prior positions. Make sure you carefully select the tasks you choose to highlight your most pertinent experience. For instance, a nurse looking for a job as a kindergarten teacher can emphasize supporting the pediatric unit and offering emotional support to patients to demonstrate their ability to interact with children and help manage students’ emotions.
4. Highlight relevant skills in a skills section
When your employment experience is in a different industry, it’s critical to emphasize your skills. Include a substantial skills section that focuses on the capabilities listed in the job description. But keep in mind to be truthful. Include any knowledge of common software used in your area if you have it, but if you are brand-new to the field, it could be advisable to concentrate on transferrable and soft skills.
Tips for writing a resume summary for a career change
Review the following advice for further details on creating a resume summary for a job change:
Support your claims with data
Numbers and correct names might help prospective employers better understand your qualifications. For instance, you could say that you have five years of corporate experience when summarizing your career history. You can also provide the names of any technologies your desired employment might need and for which you are knowledgeable.
Include strategic keywords
Choose phrases from the job description to use in the summary of your resume. The pre-screening stage of the hiring process, where an applicant tracking system (ATS) may be used by the employer to track resume content and job description alignment, can be passed with the aid of keywords. By using the language of the employer, you can highlight your qualifications and show that you are knowledgeable about the industry.
Keep your writing concise
It’s standard practice to keep your resume to one page in length. Writing a succinct resume summary might provide you the flexibility to add areas like work experience, education, and talents to your resume. Focus on the information that is most relevant to the position you are applying for and don’t forget to keep your summary to three phrases.
Show the benefits of the career transition
Even though your prior experience was in a different industry, think about demonstrating how it will help you in your desired position. You can demonstrate to the hiring manager that you can provide the team with a special perspective. If you’re applying for a job as an academic adviser, for instance, you may describe how your ten years of expertise in mental health counseling might help you better meet the needs of students. Making your CV stand out from the competition by highlighting your various professional and educational backgrounds as strengths might help you stand out from other applicants.
5 examples of resume summaries
Five sample resume summaries for career changers in various industries are provided below:
Example 1: Education
Dedicated worker with 15 years of experience in the medical field. aiming to instruct the upcoming generation of medical professionals using first-hand knowledge. Looking for a career as a nursing educator at Pine Oak University to use my instructional leadership abilities.
Example 2: Human resources
Professional looking for a position as a human resources specialist at Main Corporation. Flexible and emotionally savvy. substantial experience working in administration for mid-sized organizations. knowledgeable about recording internal procedures and guiding new hires via the onboarding process.
Example 3: Advertising
Five years of experience as a skilled communicator who connects with clients and influences their purchasing choices. possess practical experience using buyer personas to target customers and promote products in a cutthroat market. Searching for a job at Pathway Advertising Firm as an associate in advertising.
Example 4: Construction
Professional with great time-management abilities, manual dexterity, and an in-depth understanding of safety protocols. Organized and trustworthy. four years of expertise driving large vehicles and moving dangerous commodities. I’m looking for a job at Big Time Construction as a project manager to create safety training programs and support construction efforts.
Example 5: Sales
Professional with ten years of experience in the IT sector who is dependable and ambitious. Excellent client management and customer service abilities were displayed to draw customers and boost brand loyalty. Looking for a position as a sales representative at Mundrow-Kramer Electronics where I can use my technical knowledge and beat sales targets for cellular devices.
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